Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau

Juneau’s Pack Creek offers an unparalleled bear viewing experience. Visitors start with a scenic floatplane flight, then kayak through Windfall Harbor to the renowned Pack Creek area. Here, they’ll witness the world’s highest concentration of brown bears foraging for salmon and caring for their cubs. Guided hikes through the Alaskan rainforest provide an immersive encounter, as guests follow strict safety protocols for a truly memorable wildlife adventure. What awaits beyond the trailhead is an experience like no other.

Key Points

• The tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the highest concentration of brown bears in the world on Admiralty Island.
• The full-day tour includes a floatplane flight, kayaking, and guided hiking to the Pack Creek bear viewing area.
• Guests can witness 12 or more bears, including mothers with cubs, in their natural habitats during the guided hikes.
• Strict safety protocols are followed, and experienced naturalist guides lead the hikes through the lush Alaskan rainforest.
• The tour includes all necessary equipment and amenities, with a small group size of 10 people for a personalized experience.

Tour Overview

The Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the highest concentration of brown bears in the world, located on Admiralty Island near Juneau, Alaska.

This full-day tour takes participants on a floatplane flight over the stunning Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage, followed by kayaking and guided hiking to bear viewing locations.

The group size is limited to 10 people, ensuring a personalized experience. Permits to access this renowned "Fortress of the Bears" are exclusively issued to tour operators, so advance booking is recommended.

Participants must meet moderate fitness requirements and follow safety protocols.

Floatplane Flight and Kayaking

After a captivating floatplane flight over the sweeping Tongass National Forest and the vast Inside Passage, participants embark on a tranquil kayaking journey through Windfall Harbor to the Pack Creek bear viewing area. Paddling through the serene waters, guests take in the stunning landscape, keeping an eye out for any glimpses of the famed brown bears. The activity provides a peaceful connection with the natural surroundings before the main wildlife viewing experience.

Activity	Duration	Highlights
Floatplane Flight	30 mins	Aerial views of Tongass National Forest and Inside Passage
Kayaking	1 hour	Peaceful paddle through Windfall Harbor
Arrival at Pack Creek	–	Prepare for bear viewing

Bear Viewing Locations

Where do the guided hikes take visitors to observe the brown bears in their natural habitat?

The hiking trails lead to meadows and rivers where bears forage for their primary food sources – salmon and sedges. Here, guests can witness the majestic brown bears in their element, often seeing 12 or more bears, including mothers with cubs.

The bears are known as the ‘Fortress of the Bears’ by the Tlingit people, reflecting the high concentration of bears on Admiralty Island.

Visitors must follow the guide’s instructions and maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing the bears’ natural behaviors.

Guided Hiking Experience

Guided hiking to the bears’ foraging grounds is a highlight of the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour.

Led by experienced naturalist guides, the hike traverses through lush Alaskan rainforest, following well-marked trails to the remote viewing areas. Along the way, guests learn about the area’s history, flora, and fauna.

The moderate difficulty level allows guests to enjoy the scenery while remaining vigilant for potential bear sightings.

With a maximum group size of 10, the hike provides an intimate and personalized experience.

Visitors must follow strict safety protocols, staying close to the guide and storing food properly to avoid bear encounters.

Included Amenities and Equipment

The Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour includes all the necessary equipment and amenities for a comfortable and safe experience.

Certified guides and a small group ratio of 1 guide per 5 people ensure personalized attention.

All kayaks and safety gear are provided, along with rain gear, jackets, and rubber boots in the appropriate sizes.

Snacks, lunch, bottled water, and national park fees are also included.

Participants need only bring themselves, as everything else is taken care of.

Gratuities aren’t included, allowing guests to tip at their discretion.

Participant Requirements and Safety

To participate in the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour, guests must meet certain physical fitness and health requirements. A moderate level of fitness is required, as you will need to hike 1-2 miles.

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers, those with heart problems, or serious medical conditions. There’s also a weight limit of 250 lbs per person.

For safety, all participants must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form and follow the guide’s instructions, staying with the group and storing food in bear-proof lockers.

Weather and Cancellation Policies

The tour operates in all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by the guides.

Pack Creek is open year-round, so guests can expect to see bears in various conditions, from sunny skies to rainy days.

Given the remote location, the tour doesn’t offer refunds for cancellations. However, the operator is flexible in rescheduling tours if necessary.

Participants should dress appropriately and be prepared for changing weather.

The tour will proceed as planned unless safety concerns arise, in which case the guides will make the appropriate call.

Guests should check the forecast and pack accordingly for their adventure.

Reviews and Testimonials

Travelers consistently rave about their unforgettable experiences on the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing tour.

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews, this tour is consistently praised for its exceptional guides and memorable wildlife encounters. Reviewers highlight the thrill of seeing 12 or more bears, including cubs, in their natural habitat.

Many note the personalized attention and small group size, allowing for an intimate and immersive experience. The seamless logistics, from transportation to equipment, also earn high marks.

Sum Up

Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing in Juneau offers an unforgettable opportunity to witness the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. From a scenic floatplane flight to guided hikes, guests can observe bears foraging and caring for their young in the Alaskan wilderness while adhering to strict safety protocols. This immersive wildlife adventure provides an unparalleled connection with nature.